Chapter 2958: The Cheapest Anchor

"That spot? Looks pretty popular."

Perhaps Chief Yuan's most infectious trait was her occasional burst of down-to-earth charm.

Even in such a delicate situation, with a metaphorical sword unsheathed overhead and radiating a chill, she still hadn't forgotten the delicacies of her old haunt.

Fortunately, this love for life had found an appreciative audience.

Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, Fu Qian had already picked out a place to eat, gesturing toward it with his chin.

His selection criteria even made perfect sense.

It was common knowledge that the restaurant industry exhibited a clear Matthew effect: crowds draw crowds.

And the establishment he had chosen was arguably one of the most inconspicuous buildings in the vicinity.

Squat, gloomy, and lacking even a signboard... yet a single glance revealed a whopping three people sitting inside.

They were even dressed quite formally.

"Are you sure?" Yuan Shan glanced over a few times before confirming with a frown. "I can't guarantee the consequences of eating whatever is in there."

It was nice to have a relaxed accomplice, but this was a bit too relaxed.

"Don't I already have a card?"

It sounded like the restaurant Chief Yuan had in mind was further away. Prompted by momentary curiosity, Fu Qian flashed the Guansi card in his hand.

"The card only anchors your existence here so you don't get lost in the tide of people," Yuan Shan answered softly, gesturing for Fu Qian to follow her. "But the food in a place like that... from what I know, there's a high chance it isn't actually cooked. If you feel like eating props, you can go ahead and try."

"Anchoring yourself so you don't get lost in the crowd... why does that sound like a birthday?" Fu Qian remarked.

He had only pointed to the place on a whim and didn't insist, actually following her lead as he spoke.

He didn't care much for birthdays himself, but having a date that belonged exclusively to you in an otherwise busy life was arguably the cheapest anchor for most people.

"You could think of it that way," Yuan Shan said, actually agreeing with his logic. "The moment you first arrive here and draw a card, you are born in this place. Otherwise, you'll forever remain a wandering ghost."

Creak—

The next moment, she actually stepped up to the squat restaurant and casually opened the door...

To be fair, the smell of fried veal in the air was genuinely fantastic.

So much so that it was hard to accept that the dishes sitting in front of the three diners were mere props.

Aside from them, the only other person in the small shop was a tall, thin middle-aged man wearing a bowtie.

It was hard to say whether he was a waiter or the boss, but he immediately came forward to greet the two uninvited guests.

"I apologize, but we aren't receiving guests this afternoon," the man said.

Behind his commendable enthusiasm, he actually wasn't open for business.

Oh.

But Chief Yuan was hardly one to back down. Giving a noncommittal hum, she swept her calm gaze over the three diners and strode straight toward an empty table nearby.

Hm...

The bowtie-wearing man looked thoroughly caught off guard. He froze for a second before hurrying after her.

By the time he stepped up beside them, even Fu Qian had already taken a seat.

"I'm very sorry, but those guests booked in advance," the man said.

He looked a bit anxious, though he hadn't lost his spirit of customer service.

Realizing the situation was a bit awkward, the middle-aged man apologized again before explaining in a low voice.

Of course, his attitude remained firm: even if they sat down, he couldn't serve them—

But just as he finished speaking, the figure trying to turn them away stiffened, his eyes glued to Chief Yuan's hand.

Her seemingly slender, delicate fingers had pierced four holes straight into the solid wood of the table, the edges perfectly smooth without a single splinter.

Perhaps to a transcendent, a stunt like this was trivial, but for an ordinary guy making a living frying veal, feeling a sudden chill on his forehead was perfectly normal.

Especially since his hair was already thinning up top.

"We'll have whatever they're having," Yuan Shan said.

Having made her point, she didn't make things any more difficult for him. She ordered casually, looking as though she genuinely didn't plan on eating.

...

"What do I have to say to make you believe me?!"

The middle-aged man quickly disappeared into the kitchen, but the small shop didn't return to peace.

Judging by what the waiter had said, the three men at the other table had booked the whole place to discuss business.

Yet they had turned a completely deaf ear to the two uninvited guests and the brief exchange that had just occurred.

They didn't even care that someone had sat down nearby. One of them was already growling in a low voice.

Although he was technically keeping his voice down, it undoubtedly echoed through the entire shop.

"I don't know—maybe lose a nephew, too?"

The target of his outburst wasn't just massive in size; he also looked vastly more composed. Only after carefully chewing and swallowing the meat in his mouth did Brother Calm shoot back with a humorless smile.

"...How many times do I have to say it? No matter what the original plan was, I wasn't traveling with him after we scored. At least three people can prove that." The indignant man paused for a moment, as if somewhat intimidated by the other's gaze, before continuing his defense.

"Just because I was the first one to find him dead in the trunk, that makes me the suspect? The mole?"

Without a doubt, the content of their conversation was incredibly explosive.

Gang crimes, casualties, and even a mole...

"Two of those three people are already dead," Brother Calm replied slowly, having listened without interrupting until the other man finished shouting.

"That has even less to do with me..." The indignant man's momentum finally deflated. His gaze fell on the third person at the table, carrying a faint hint of pleading.

"I'm getting old. All I remember is that it was chaotic, and we definitely didn't evacuate along the planned route," the third man mumbled in response, his mouth stuffed with food as he continued to chew heartily.

But it was easy to tell that he was the last remaining witness—

"Please enjoy your meal."

Right at that moment, the middle-aged man in the bowtie returned, setting down one large and one small plate.

Not only were the portions identical to the neighboring table, but they had been served so fast it was practically a microwaved dinner.

"What do you think?" Yuan Shan asked softly. Despite the mouthwatering aroma, she still seemed completely uninterested, casually pushing the plates in front of Fu Qian.

"I think they're purely here to eat. Three guys trying to solve a logic puzzle in a place like this is a bit of a pipe dream," Fu Qian commented casually, sparing them a glance.

He obviously knew she wasn't asking for his opinion on the food.

"I won't judge your reasoning, but your conclusion is spot on... In my experience, they'll never reach a verdict," Yuan Shan sighed, agreeing with his view.

She had seemed a bit surprised by how blunt his assessment was—

"You're actually eating it?!" she blurted out, nearly biting her tongue the next moment as she stared in shock at Fu Qian popping a piece of beef into his mouth.